Thursday, 6 April 2017

High-end plug-in specialist Softube is proud to launch Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG — a plug-in version of Doepfer’s modernized take on the Buchla LPG (Low Pass Gate) concept, complete with clever and creative additions — as a new module for its perennially popular Modular software synth.

Ever since its invention by Don Buchla, the LPG has been heralded for an ability to add a lifelike and organic response and textures to modular synth patches. With its A-101-2 Vactrol LPG, Eurorack instigator Doepfer took the concept a step further, adding a resonance filter for further sonic treatment. Today, thanks to Softube’s plug-in version for Modular, the module is available for any music creator that prefers working in the software realm.

As implied by name, Doepfer’s hardware LPG modules are based on vactrols — just like opto-compressors. The response time of these can vary wildly, which is all part of the LPG charm. Softube’s plug-in version of Doepfer’s design adds a Vact. switch, which was not part of the original hardware. This lets users switch between fast, medium, or slow (F/M/S) response times to cover the variation between individual analog units.

Doepfer’s A-101-2 Vactrol LPG hardware has been a longtime staple in the Eurorack world; now it’s a welcome addition to Softube’s Modular, the first truly expandable software modular system that looks, works, and sounds exactly like its hardware counterparts.Doepfer A-101-2 Vactrol LPG is available now from Softube’s website and from authorized dealers around the world.The list price is $39, but it is available at an introductory price of $29 until April 30, 2017.

About Softube (www.softube.com)Founded by Oscar Öberg, and aptly dubbed “…the Swedish rock ’n’ roll scientists,” Softube has developed high-end software for the music market since 2003. Its own product roster ranges from modeled guitar amplifiers to professional audio mixing plug-ins and also includes the award-winning Console 1 hardware/software mixing system, as well as software instruments (Hearbeat and Modular). The company has received several awards — including, most recently, two TEC (Technical Excellence & Creativity) awards at the 32nd Annual event for the Marshall JMP 2203 and Marshall Bluesbreaker 1962 plug-ins (both developed by Softube exclusively for Universal Audio’s UAD/Apollo platform) — and award nominations in recognition of its innovative products. Productive partnerships have been formed with an assortment of pro audio companies held in high regard around the globe — including Abbey Road Studios, Mutronics, Solid State Logic, Summit Audio, Tonelux Designs, Tube-Tech, and Trident Audio Developments — to fashion faithful models of their analog hardware units. These third-party companies have happily lent their names and logotypes to the resulting plug-ins. Above and beyond its impressive namesake product lineup, Softube has also developed software products for other notable companies, such as Ableton, Fender, Cakewalk, Marshall Amplification, Native Instruments, Propellerheads, TC Electronic, and Universal Audio.